Chapter Four: Johnny Meets John

"John!" Wolf cried. "You're back from jail!"

"I was released on parole." John chuckled. "And then I'd heard that you'd come back from your road trip, so of course, I wanted to see you."

"What'd he do?" Johnny had to ask.

"Destruction of property." Wolf said. "It involved a car."

Johnny raised an eyebrow. "On second thought, forget I asked."

"Not everyone can be famous." John said, flicking his lighter. He was glaring at Johnny. "And I'd appreciate it if you stayed away from my girl."

"Stop it, John." Wolf said. "I'm not your girl. And I can't ever be your girl after what you did to Luna."

"So I burned her. Big deal." John seemed so nonchalant about it.

"Yes, it IS a big deal, you dope!" Wolf yelled. "Luna is my best friend and I care about her and if you cared about me, you wouldn't have done it in the first place! I should have had you arrested for assault!"

"So, just like that, you're going to leave me for this guy? He's just a fad…and maybe his power will die out since it was only given to him by some sort of radiation."

"John, just because you're bitter that we stopped dating frequently…"

"You'll always be my girl, Wolf." John said. "But still, I just want to go out to dinner."

At long last, Johnny was ready to speak. "I believe I was just about to ask her out to dinner." He said. "And unless you're telepathic, which I doubt, you have no control over what she says or does."

"Is there a problem out here?" a fourth voice asked and Johnny recognized the guy as Scott Summers.

"No, Scott." Wolf said, getting up from her chair. "No problem at all. Good night, John…and Johnny."

She left giving John a dirty look.

Johnny smiled. "Looks like someone's just lost out."

"We'll see about that, you freak," John was still flicking that damned lighter.

"Who are you calling a freak!" Johnny asked.

"You're a freak to me…claiming to be a mutant and all when you're really not. You don't know what it's like for the rest of us. You don't know what it's like to be on the outside looking in. We don't have fans like you. We have enemies. And that's all we'll ever have." He snarled at Johnny and left, elbowing Scott in the ribs as he passed.

Johnny looked at Scott. "I had no idea." He said. "Really, I didn't. I mean, I knew about it some, but I had no idea…"

Scott held up a hand. "It's no big deal. Ignore John. Why don't you go and get some rest? Charles and Jean would like to speak with you tomorrow. And about Wolf…well, she's very interesting. Just wait until you meet her dad."

"Who's her dad?" Johnny was interested. "She didn't mention a dad."

"His name is Logan."

"Logan what?"

"Just Logan."

"Does he have a last name?"

"If he does, he doesn't remember it."

"When can I meet him?"

"In two days, when he comes back from Canada. Now, go to bed, Johnny."

"Good night, Mr. Summers."

"Please, call me Scott."

"All right…Scott…by the way…cool sunglasses."

two days later

Johnny had accepted Wolf and Luna's invitation to meet a couple of their friends. The friends he had decided to meet where Rogue and her boyfriend, Bobby Drake.

Rogue was pretty, with mahogany hair with a wide widow's peak, green eyes and the cutest Southern accent Johnny had ever heard. Bobby was basically clean cut, with blonde spiky hair, blue eyes and a Boston accent.

"Hey, I'm Johnny Storm." He said, extending his hand to Bobby. "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." Bobby said with a smile. "Welcome to Mutant High. Enjoying yourself?"

"Not so bad….but I met John Allardyce…what a piece of work…"

"John wasn't always so bad." Bobby explained. "I think prison hardened him somewhat."

Johnny smiled at Rogue and took her gloved hand and put on his best Southern accent. "Now, I do declare, that you are the prettiest young woman I have ever laid eyes on." He kissed her hand softly. "Did I offend you?"

"Not at all, Mr. Storm." Rogue was all aflutter with giggles. "All you've showed me is that you're a gentleman."

Johnny smiled. "Wolf, your friends are just as cute as you are."

Luna laughed. "Well, we try." She was about to speak when the doorbell rang. "Let me get that."

"So, Johnny…." Rogue said. "Can you really fly?"

"It's hard, but I can do it." Johnny said. "It took me a while to figure out how…but no better trial than trial by fire, right?"

"I guess." Bobby said, and he was about to say more, when Luna screamed.

Wolf dashed into the entry hall, followed by the others. "Luna? Are you okay?"

Luna was standing at the door, her mouth agape.

"It….it…..it….it's…." Luna was panting, she could barely speak.

Wolf's eyes also widened. "Oh, my goodness….it's…."

"Hello, I'm Dr. Reed Richards." The man at the door said. "I'm looking for Johnny Storm…hey, Johnny!"

"Hi Reed." Johnny said. "Welcome to Xavier's."

Luna was practically drooling as her idol came in the front door. "Wolf…it's him, it's really him! Oh, look at me, I'm underdressed….Oh…what to do what to do…"

"Luna, relax…"

Reed was actually amused. "I have a fan…that's unusual…usually it's Johnny who has all the fans."

"Luna idolizes you, Dr. Richards." Wolf said. "She's read everything you've ever written."

"I especially liked your thesis on the effect of cosmic radiation on early planetary life." Luna said.

Reed looked surprised. "You liked that?"

"Oh yes." Luna said. "Dr. Richards, it was wonderful."

"Please." Reed said, smiling at Luna. "Call me Reed."

Luna smiled. "Ok, REED, all of your writings are fantastic, but that thesis is my absolute favorite."

"Well perhaps you would like to discuss it over dinner." Reed suggested and Johnny's jaw dropped.

"WHAT?" Johnny cried. "What about Sue? You're marrying my sister!"

"I was going to marry Sue, but something came up." Reed said.

"What could have possibly come up?" Johnny asked.

"She gave me back my ring and told me that even though she had been waiting for me to ask her to marry her for so long, that she could no longer do it." Reed sounded a little sad. "That was two months ago. She didn't tell you because she thought that you'd think that I was the one who wanted out."

Johnny sighed. "I'll talk with her later…so, what brings you up here?"

"Believe it or not, I came to check on you and to speak with Charles Xavier." Reed said, and then he turned to Luna. "Now about that dinner…"

Luna wasted no time. "I would LOVE to have dinner with you! When!"

"How about tonight?" Reed asked. "Do you like Japanese food? I know a great place near Columbus circle."

Luna's eyes sparkled. "Oh, Dr. Richards, I'd be honored."

He smiled. "It's a date then, now if you'll excuse me…" He walked off to find Charles.

Luna shrieked. "I'm going to dinner with Reed Richards!"

"Another freak." John Allardyce interrupted as he strutted into the room. "That's what they should call them: The Fantastic Freaks."

"Big talk coming from a mutant." Rogue said, pulling off her glove. "Why I should …"

"Rogue, don't." Bobby said, holding her back. "I don't think he's worth it"

John sneered as he left as quickly as he came.

"Once upon a time…I thought he was." Wolf sounded sad.

"Don't be sad, darlin'." A rough voice said. "There will be other guys."

Wolf smiled. "Dad!"

A short, extremely hairy man, with grey eyes and dressed in a shirt and jeans was standing in the doorway. "Hey, stranger. Miss your old man?"